Time for new head gaskets.

Nauti Fox

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Glad we actually got to go somewhere at long last with the way the weather has been. Unfortunately when we got there I noticed a trace of coolant around the starboard engine deck filler and the engine had been unwilling to pull above 2000rpm (not that we do that very much) and issuing black smoke when going above 1500rpm. The last time I had the coolant being pressurised it was the head gaskets on the port engine.
Set off home and the sure enough the starboard engine wouldn't go above 1200rpm without black smoke and running slightly hot, lifted the hatches when we were back in the Medway and it was puffing from the crankcase breather. Bugger!
I'll heave the cast iron heads off in a couple of weeks after I've been on an intensive weight lifting course!
Hopefully head gaskets (which have to be made) will be all that needs doing, fingers crossed.
 

orizaba

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good luck at least you've done it before and know what your up against,no consalation i know.
any idea whats causing them to go? have you had an overheating problem, lately to cause it,the reason i ask is that black smoke is more indicativeof excess fuel being burnt,engine under more load than usual etc,it might be worth checking your air filter first,
the possibility i'm thinging of is more throttle due to dirty hull ,drag blocked filters =more strain on engine = slight increase in temp which could then give a weep of coolant.
it could also be that you are getting an airlock in your system and the water is not flowing round the engine properly,it might be worth draining the system back flushing if possible and then refill with water .i have drilled a small hole in my thermostat to help prevent airlocks,
just a couple of thoughts,ideas ,could be totally wrong but worth checking before taking the heads off.
 

Nauti Fox

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Thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated.
The boat has recently been anti fouled, and the thermostats were drilled long, long ago /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
To be honest I've thought there was something slightly wrong for a while now but haven't been able to put my finger on it, you know, it just sounds and feels a little different.
The black smoke I'm hoping is down to a bad burn where the head gaskets gone, (where's the fingers crossed smiley) and am seriously hoping the crankcase pressure is down to the head gasket as well and not something more sinister, such as piston or rings. There was no oil smoke so hopefully.......
 

alb40

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Does sound very head gasket like alec. If it has blown, and the engine overheats when you go above 1500rpm, then you will get some black smoke as a result.

I had a similar issue with my car last year. Ford turbo diesel. It would struggle to climb in revs over about 2500rpm. Made black smoke when you did. That had a duff injector causing the problem.

Hope you get it fixed ok alec. Then you'll be able to go above displacementing once again! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Alex
 

Nauti Fox

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Cheers Alex, it took me back to when we first got the boat. I was tad rusty at the getting it alongside on one engine game. The brain eventually remembered it's easier if you lower the tab on the live engine side.
Phoned up Board Bros in Battersea and the guy that makes them is still about.
 

alb40

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Be nice if my boat moved under one engine, let alone two lol. She's getting there though. Just all quite expensive all these gearbox bits.

Do give a shout if you need extra hands. Im not very strong, but I can make a decent coffee /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 

Nauti Fox

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Cheers Al, yep limbering up by lifting train wheels as they are about half the weight of the heads. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

alb40

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But whoever gets it right gonna get the invoice alec? In which case theres nothing wrong with it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The possibilities are endless, but hopefully it will just be a simple gasket change.
 
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